I wanted to buy some sea monkeys during my vacation, just so I could have something fun to do for a little while, but I couldn't find sea monkeys anywhere. However, I did find Sea Monsters.

I didn't realize until I got home, and did a little research that these "Sea Monsters" are nothing like Sea Monkeys. They are actually called Triops. They grow huge. Up to 3 inches. Sea Monkeys only grow up to 1/2 an inch, and are hard to see. I saw a picture on Google where someone is holding a Triops in their hand!

What did I just get myself into?

Triops are prehistoric monsters also known as dinosaur shrimp that are brought to life simply by adding water to eggs that are in suspended animation. I researched more about the suspended animation Triops eggs are in. When adult Triops die during droughts, the embryos remain in a state of "diapause" until the rains return and fill up the temporary ponds once again, making it safe for them to hatch. Many factors affect diapause, such as light, salt, and temperature. A message is transmitted to the eggs by the female. This message stops the growth of the eggs. This same message lets the eggs know that when they are exposed to water again, it will be time to hatch. The growth message, probably chemical, essentially stops the biological clock of the embryonic Triops.

My major is Biotechnology, and this kind of stuff fascinates me. I love science, and love watching things grow. Scientists study Triops in the hope of extracting the biological-clock-stopping chemical found in the eggs. It could be used to suspend cellular growth in humans. Imagine the potential uses: slowing the aging process, or even putting a stop to cancer growth.

I put my sea monster eggs into a tank, and have been watching, and waiting...

The eggs were mixed with dirt, and tiny pieces of wood I think. It is all floating at the top of the tank.

A few days had passed, and a few finally hatched. Look closely at the tiny white spec in the water directly in front of Aaron's finger...

That's a Triops! Or Sea Monster :) Whatever you want to call it. I read they look like horseshoe crabs and date back to the Triassic Period in fossil records. They look identical to their prehistoric ancestors. Triops have survived for centuries because of uninterrupted states of suspend animation, or "diapause."

They will only live for about 20 to 90 days. That's a good thing, because I really wasn't expecting to grow sea monsters the size of your hand, and also have to feed them for years :)

This is a great source of information on Triops ... Triops Booklet.

More to come! Stay tuned!